Final answer:
Socialists during the Industrial Revolution wanted the means of production to be controlled by society, aiming to create greater economic equality and reduce exploitation compared to capitalist systems.
Step-by-step explanation:
In response to the harsh conditions of industrialization, socialists advocated for the means of production to be controlled by society. This concept entailed that manufacturing facilities, farms, and other productive entities should be owned and managed by the community or state, rather than private individuals or corporations. This idea was in direct contrast to the existing capitalist system, which had private ownership of production and was criticized for creating significant class disparities.
The socialists envisioned a system where the government, or at times local communities, would take control of the economy and manage it centrally or decentrally. This approach was seen as a way to achieve greater economic equality and remove the exploitation wrought by capitalism. Historical implementations of socialist economic models include those in the former Soviet Union, China, Vietnam, and North Korea, though the level and method of state intervention in the economy can vary among socialist thinkers.